US judge grants special master review of Trump investigation materials News
geralt / Pixabay
US judge grants special master review of Trump investigation materials

A US District Court judge for the Southern District of Florida Monday approved former President Donald Trump’s request for a special master to review records that the FBI seized from his Florida home in August. Judge Aileen M. Cannon also ordered the government to halt their investigation of Trump until a special master reviews the materials. The Trump investigation has now been delayed for a period of time.

The special master will review the approximately 11,000 documents containing confidential information and 1,800 other items that were taken from Trump’s home. They will also be permitted to review any documents that are covered by attorney-client privilege and any covered by executive privilege. Cannon believes that a special master will be able to review the materials in an efficient and timely manner and will promote the interests and appearances of fairness and justice.

Former US Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal critized Cannon’s opinion. In particular, Katyal took issue with Cannon’s analysis of jurisdiction and accused Cannon of “let[ting] Trump forum shop for a judge, instead of letting the magistrate judge evaluate these claims.” Similarly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that a special master would be “unnecessary” and “inappropriate” in this case.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Department brings anit-trust action against AT&T

On November 20, 1974, the Department of Justice filed its final anti-trust suit against AT&T. United States v. AT&T was ultimately settled out of court with an agreement that the corporation would break up its monopoly on phone service throughout the country.

Nuremberg war crimes trials began

On November 20, 1945, the war crimes trials of Nazi World War II leaders began in the German city of Nuremberg. Review the Nuremberg Tribunal's Charter and the verdicts and sentences handed down on major war figures.

Winston Churchill born

On November 20, 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born in Woodstock, England. He would go on to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister through World War II. Toward the end of the war, Churchill worked with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to craft the treaties and accords that have defined the world since WWII. A 2002 poll by the BBC declared Churchill the Greatest Briton of all time.

New Jersey ratifies Bill of Rights

New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, a set of 10 fundamental amendments to the US Constitution, on November 20, 1789, becoming the first state to do so. The state also ratified an amendment on federal representation which ultimately failed. Additionally, New Jersey rejected an amendment on congressional salaries, which would eventually become the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later. Read the articles ratified by New Jersey.